The Xbox app now allows Windows Insiders to launch games from Steam, Epic, and more platforms

: Microsoft has updated its Xbox app for PC, allowing Windows Insiders to launch games directly from various platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store, marking a significant step toward unifying access across multiple storefronts. This new feature, anticipated to be available with the upcoming ROG Ally X handhelds, eliminates the complicated process of juggling between game launchers by adding installed games from supported stores to a centralized library. Steam, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net are among the first platforms to utilize this feature, but it's unclear when others like GOG and Ubisoft will be included. Microsoft's aim is to streamline gaming experiences, particularly in handheld settings, aligning their interface more closely with console-style accessibility.

The Xbox PC app has been updated to give Windows Insiders the ability to launch games from various platforms like Steam and Epic Games directly, without the need to navigate through separate launchers. This integration promises to streamline the gaming experience for users, as all installed games from participating stores will appear in the Xbox app’s "My Library" and "Most Recent" sections by default, although users can choose to hide specific storefronts if preferred by adjusting settings under Library & Extensions.

Microsoft first hinted at this feature in March, with expectations of a broader rollout aligning with the release of the ROG Ally X handheld gaming PCs later this year. The goal is to bypass the traditional Windows desktop interface, replacing it with a controller-centric, full-screen experience similar to Valve’s Linux-based Steam Deck interface. This shift is expected to make Windows 11 handhelds more user-friendly and intuitive, addressing long-standing complaints about their clunkiness compared to other gaming devices.

This development aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy in the gaming sector, aiming to support multiple storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net within Xbox’s ecosystem. The effort reflects on their ambition to bring more versatility to console-like devices which will potentially run on a Windows-based environment. The Insider program offering this feature is currently in testing, and it’s meant to gather user feedback for further refinements.

The addition of these features could potentially unify gaming experiences across diverse platforms into one seamless interface, a significant motivation for Microsoft’s innovation in gaming software. Details about when GOG, EA App, Ubisoft Connect, and Itch.io will integrate into this system remain speculative, but if successful, this move could prompt a shift in how PC users engage with games.

Sources: TechSpot, Battle.net, Steam, GOG Galaxy, ROG Ally